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Bugbee's Popular Plays 



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Field Day 
at Higgmsville 



By 

WilKa N. Bugbee 



Price 25 Cents 



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The Willis N. Bugbee Co. 

SYRACUSE, N. Y. 



THE BUGBEE ENTERTAINMENTS 

ARE FAVORITES EVERYWHERE 



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Field Day at Higginsville. A play in 2 acts for eighth 
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THE WILLIS N. BUGBEE CO., SYRACUSE, N. Y. 



Bugbee's Popular Plays 



Field Day 



at Higginsville 



By 
Willis N. Bugbee 

Author of "Uncle Si and the Sunbeam Club," "Graduation 

at Gayville," "Arrival of Reuben," "The Deacon's 

Honeymoon," "Billy's Aunt Jane," "Peggy 

of Primrose Farm," etc., etc. 



Copyright, 1922, by Willis N. Bugbee 



THE WILLIS N. BDGBEE CO. 

SYRACUSE, N. Y. 



Field Day at Higginsville 



CHARACTERS 



^ 



.Promoters of the Celebration 



Fred Carson 
Claude Dunn 
Ralph Haskins 
Harley Blake 
Jasper Howe 
Ethel Hudson 
Georgia Edwards 
Minnie Blount 
Irma Fay 
Fannie French 
Emily Bonner 

Jonas Witherspoon The Village Miser 

Pat Rooney Jonas' Hired Man 

Hannah Blye Jonas' Hired Woman 

Cutey A Visitor 



As many others as desired at the Field Day Exercises 
Time — June. 

Place: — Higginsville, U. S. A. 
Time op Playing — Forty- five minutes to one hour or longer. 



COSTUMES 



Pat and Hannah wear work clothes in Act I and coarse "dress- 
up'' clothes in Act II. 

Jonas wears rather seedy clothing. 

Boys and Girls wear ordinary clothes in Act I; summer outing 
costumes, sporting clothes or baseball uniforms in Act II. 

NOV 13 I32©CI,D 62S11 



**+ | 



Field Day at Higgmsville 

ACT I 

Scene: A school yard, Fred, Claude, Ralph and Harley are 
seated on ground looking very glum. 

Fred. Gee! I'll bet we'll have the biggest kind of field-day this 
year if we can only find a place to hold it. It's a shame if we have 
to give it up on that account. 

Claude. I'll say it is. But we won't give it up if we can help it. 

Ralph. How are we going to help it? We've tried every place 
we can think of. 

Fred. How about Jed White's pasture? 

Ralph. Too much side hill. 

Claude. Or Mose Greiner's lot? 

Ralph. You know as well as I do that there isn't a level spot 
on it. We couldn't have any games there. I tell you there's some- 
thing wrong with every place we stand any chance of getting. 

Harley. I can't see why Tom Brent couldn't have waited a 
week or two to plow up that lot. That was the best place anywhere 
around. 

Claude. I think this one next to the school ground is just as 
good or better. It's a dandy if we could only get it. 

Fred. Yes if — if with a big I. Well never have a chance to use 
that lot so long as Jonas Witherspoon owns it. 

Harley. I should say not. Old Jonas is the biggest old skin- 
flint in seventeen counties. 

Ralph. I'll say he's the biggest one in seventeen states. 

Claude. Don't you s'pose there's any way we can get him to 
let us use it? 

Fred. Are you getting nutty? There's no way unless we hypno- 
tize him. If anybody succeeds in doing it any other way I'll buy the 
tickets for Ringling's Circus over to Greenville next month. 

Harley. Jiminy ! You talk like a banker. 

Fred. I've got enough for that, but there isn't any danger of 
having to use it. 

(Enter Jasper with letter in hand.) 

Jasper. Hello, fellows! Just got a letter from Huntsville. 

Fred. What do they say? 

Jasper. I'll read it to you. (Opens letter and reads.) 

Huntsville, June 15, 19 — . 
Mr. Jasper Howe: — 

We got your letter yesterday and the fellows here have decided 
they will play your nine on the day set by you. We've got a corking 
good nine this year, best we ever had. Hope you have too. Good 
bye. v 

Yours truly, 

Jack Brown 
P. S. Some of the boys want to enter the other contests if they 
can. 



4 FIELD DAY AT HIGGINSVILLE 

Claude. That's bully! Hurrah for Huntsville! (Throws hat in 
air.) 

Fred. Hold on ! What you hurrahing for? We haven't got any 
place to play yet. 

Jasper. Oh say! Did you see Si Fletcher? 

Fred. We saw him and that's all the good it did. He's just as 
pig-headed as old Jonas. 

Jasper. Some of the folks in this place are as accommodating 
as a bunch of hogs. I'll say that much for them. 

(Enter Ethel, Georgia, Minnie, Irma and Fannie.) 

Ethel (to girls). Look, girls! Isn't this the glummest looking 
lot of boys you ever saw in your life? 

Georgia. Whose funeral is it? 

Minnie. Even Claude Dunn looks as woe begone as the rest of 
them. What do you know about that? 

Irma. Let's hear all about it. 

Fannie. Yes, out with it. 

Fred. I guess you'd feel glum, too, if you were us. 

Jasper (holding letter). Read that letter. 

(Fannie takes letter and reads it aloud.) 

Ethel. I don't see any need of shedding tears over that. 

Harley. Shucks! Who's shedding tears? 

Ethel. You fellows look as if you were on the verge of it. 

Ralph. So's your grandmother. 

Jasper. It's enough to make anybody glum to have arrange- 
ments all made for a magnificent field day and no place to hold it. 
Isn't it? 

Minnie. You'd think anybody with just ordinary common 
sense would have known whether they had a place before making 
arrangements. 

Jasper. Fred and Ralph are on that committee. 

Fred. We supposed it was all settled that we were to have it in 
Tom Brent's lot same as last year, till he began plowing it yesterday. 
Since then we've looked everywhere else. Haven't we, Ralph? 

Ralph. Sure thing ! 

Irma. You seem to have forgotten that song we used to sing 
in chapel: — "Never, Oh Never Say Fail." 

Fannie. You can see the word "Fail" written all over their 
faces in big letters. 

Harlet. Oh forget it. Don't we know that we're stumped— 
skunked — beaten ? 

Ethel. Beaten — nothing. You just leave it to us. We'll find 
a waj r . 

Boys. You? Ha! ha! ha! (Continue to laugh until girls also 
join in.) 

Minnie. "Laugh and the world laughs with you, 
Weep and you weep alone." 

Fred. If you can do any better'n we've done you can have the 



FIELD DAY AT HIGGINSVILLE 5 

job and welcome. We've used all the energy and persuasion and 
argument that we can muster. 

Georgia. Have vou tried diplomacy? 

Ralph. What's that? 

Ethel. Never mind if you don't know. Did you say you'd 
turn the job over to us? 

Fred and Ralph. We sure will. 

Ethel. All right. We assume the responsibility. Now you 
gentlemen may be excused while we make our plans. 

Claude. Well you've certainly got the nerve all right. 

Minnie. It takes nerve nowadays to get along in this world. 

Jasper. Oh say! Fred says if any one succeeds in getting old 
Jonas to give in hell buy the tickets for the circus next month. 

Girls. Honest and true? 

Fred. Sure thing. 

Fannie. Suppose we succeed and all of us have a hand in it. 
who goes? 

Fred. All of you. 

Irma. Gee whiz ! 

Ethel. Well, by-bye gentlemen. We'll see you later. 

Jasper. Come on, fellows! Looks as if we'd have to go. Come 
over here and I'll show you my new curve. 

(Exeunt boys.) 

Fannie. What's your idea, Ethel? How do you think we girls 
can find a place for the games? 

Ethel. I don't know as we can, but we can try. Besides Emily 
and I have been planning all the morning and we've got two assis- 
tants. 

Several. Who? 

Ethel. Well, here comes one of them now. 

Minnie. Who — Pat Rooney? 

Ethel. Yes, he and Hannah Blye have agreed to help us out. 

(Enter Pat with wheelbarrow.) 

Pat (setting wheelbarrow down and wiping face with colored 
handkerchief). Howdy gurrls. Begorra 'tis a foine toime ye're 
havin' togither wid niver a worry or care. Shure an 'tis mesilf 
wishes I was that carefree loike yoursilves. 

Georgia. But we aren't so carefree as you think, Mr. Rooney. 
We've got lots of cares and worries. We've got so many that our 
hair will soon turn gray. 

Pat. Wull, if it's thim games you're worryin' over I want to in- 
form yez that I've shtarted the ball to rollin' already. 

Ethel. Oh have you really, Mr. Rooney? 

Pat. You just bet I have. I've been tellin' the ould mon phwat 
a foine bunch iv byes an' gurrls vez are an' how hard ye've been 
workin' an the noice things ye've been savin' about him an' a lot iv 
blarny loike that an' — 

Irma. Oh Mr. Pat, did you really and truly tell him all that? 
He won't let us have the lot now anyway. 

Pat. Shure an' I tould him an' I do be thinkin' he's com in' 
around. 



6 FIELD DAY AT HIGGINSVILLE 

Ethel. Won't that be fine if he does! If vou succeed, Mr. 
Rooney, we'll give you — what can we give him, girls? 

Pat. A kiss. 

Ethel. Why, Mr. Rooney! The idea! 

Minnie. We might give him our picture. 

Ethel. Just the thing! We'll give him our class picture when 
we get it taken. 

Pat. Shure an' thot wull be foine. I'll do the bist I can for yez. 

(Exit with wheelbarrow.) 

Georgia. Isn't he a good old soul. 
Fannie. He sure is. 

(Enter Emily.) 

Emily. What's going on here, girls? 

Ethel. Mr. Rooney's been talking with old Jonas and he thinks 
there's just a tiny ray of hope. 

Emily. Well, I carried a nice big bouquet over there for him 
this morning. 

Minnie. Did you see him? 

Emily. No, but Hannah said she'd give it to him with our com- 
pliments. 

Irma. I bet he'll be somewhat surprised to get a bouquet from 
any one in this town. 

Emily. It was a dandv. He'd have to pay three dollars for 
one just like it at the greenhouse. 

Georgia. My mother says the way to ask a favor of a man is 
by way of his stomach. That's the way she does with pa. 

Ethel. Good scheme. We never thought of that, did we? What 
nice dainties can we send him? 

Irma. I know — a nice big lobster. 

Ethel. Now you're kidding. How would a nice basket of fruit 
do? 

Georgia. Pooh ! He raises all the fruit he wants on his farm. 

Ethel. Yes, but if we should send him something different — 
something he doesn't raise — 

Irma. Like lemons. 

Emily. Irma Fay, you're too provoking for anything. 

Georgia. Here's Hannah coming now. 

Minnie. Perhaps he's sent her to thank you for the flowers. 

Irma. I'll bet he has— like Mike. 

(Enter Hannah.) 

Girls. Good morning, Hannah. 

Hannah. Mornin', girls. Ain't it awful nice out today? 

Ethel. Yes, it is lovely, Hannah. 

Hannah. Um-phm! Say, I give them posies to Jonas. 

Emily. Oh, did you? I suppose he turned up his nose at them. 

Hannah. No, he didn't, Miss, only jest to smell of 'em. He 
was awfully pleased over 'em. I dunno when I've seen him so pleased 
before. You see them was the kind of posies his wife used to like — 
an' wal, when I see he was so kind of pleased I jest thought I'd 



FIELD DAY AT HIGGINSVILLE 7 

throw out a hint 'bout that ere lot of hisn, but he wouldn't make no 
promise — jest sez, "111 see, I'll see," an' that's all I could get out of 
him. 

Irma. You might have known that's all the good it would do 
you, giving a bouquet to old Jonas. 

Hannah. Tut, tut! Don't get discouraged, girlies. Mebbe we 
can soften his old heart yet. I'm cookin' him a real good dinner 
of corn beef an' cabbage an' jest after he gets through eatin', I'll ask 
him again. (Girls laugh.) Wal, there he is now — jest come out on 
the porch. I'll bet he's lookin' for me. Come over this afternoon an' 
I'll report to ye on the boiled dinner scheme. (Exit hurriedly.) 

Fannie. Isn't she comical? 

Georgia. I don't see for my part how she ever stands it with old 
Jonas. 

Irma. Neither do I. He's a regular old crab. 

Minnie. An old tight-wad. 

Emily. An old stick-in-the-mud. 

Several. S-sh ! Look out what you say. He's coming this way. 

(Slight pause.) 

(Enter Jonas.) 

Jonas. Wal, howdy do, howdy do, young ladies. Enjoyin' your- 
selves? 

Ethel. We've been trying to solve a very hard problem, Mr. 
Witherspoon. 

Jonas. Have, eh? Remember the time I used to enjoy workin' 
out problems myself when I was a youngster, but I've forgot all 
about them now. By the way, I want to thank the young lady that 
fetched me that bokay this mornin'. Which one of ye was it? 

Ethel. It was Emily Bonner. 

Emily. I shall have to plead guilty, Mr. Witherspoon. I hope 
you enjoyed them. 

Jonas. Did she say your name was Emily? 

Emily. Yes sir — Emily Bonner. 

Jonas. Don't it beat all how funny things happen sometimes. 

Minnie. Really they do, Mr. Withespoon. I've noticed it my- 
self. 

Jonas. You see Emily was my wife's name an' them posies, 
same as you brought over this mornin', was always her favorites, an' 
today would have been our golden weddin' day if she'd lived. (Wipes 
eyes.) 

Emily. That is funny — isn't it, girls? 

Others. Awfully so. 

Jonas. That's how I happened to come over to thank ye. I 
ain't had anything sot me to thinkin' like them posies in a long 
time. 

Ethel. You know we spoke to you about our problems when 
you came? 

Jonas. Yes, yes, so you did an' I told ye I used to be good at 
figgerin' but that was a good many years ago. 

Ethel. Would you like to hear one of our problems? 

Jonas. I couldn't promise to help ye much as I said before. 

Ethel. Well, here it is: If a nice old gentleman owned a vacant 



8 FIELD DAY AT HIGGINSVILLE 

lot next to a schoolhouse and he should give the use of that lot to a 
number of boys and girls for one day, what part of a year would 
that be? And if those same boys an r gals should enjoy themselves 
for eight whole hours thereon, would the old gentleman gain or lose 
by the transaction? 

Jonas. Gain, of course. He'd be a blamed fool if he didn't let 
'em use it. 

All. Do you mean it? 

Jonas. I certainly do. Thought I couldn't figger at all, didn't 
ye? Didn't know's I could do so well myself till jest now. 

Girls. But Mr. Witherspoon — 

Jonas. Oh I know what you're drivin' at. You're thinkin' that 
I'm the fool an' I guess I be. I oughter let ye used it before. 

Girls. Oh, thank 3 r ou, Mr. Witherspoon, thank you. 

Irma. Hadn't we ought to tell the boys? 

Ethel. Yes, call them, Emily. 

Emily. All, right. (Steps to side and calls.) Wahoo! Wa- 



hoo! 



(Enter boys running.) 



Claude. Hello! What's the matter? Who's hurt? 

Ethel. Nobody's hurt, but our problem is solved. 

Emily. And we're all ready for the circus tickets, Mr. Fred. 

Boys. What's that? Say it again? What's the puzzle? 

Irma. Translated into plain everyday English, it means that 
Mr. Witherspoon is going to give us the use of that lot for our 
Field Day. 

Boys. Is that so. Mr. Witherspoon? 

Jonas. I callate 'tis. 

Several, Good! Bravo! Hurrah! 

Jasper. May we shake your hand? 

Jonas. Reckon you may if you don't shake too hard an' get 
my rheumatiz all stirred up agin. 

(Boys shake hands with Jonas in turn.) 

Fred. Gee! This is the happiest moment of our lives. Eh, 
fellows? 

Others. Yes, yes! We'll say it is! 

Jasper (to girls). How did you ever do it, girls? 

Georgia. Diplomacy, of course. 

Harley. He told us this morning about two hours ago that we 
couldn't have it and now you're claiming the reward. I don't under- 
stand. 

Jonas. He! he! he! Didn't they jest tell ye they'd been usin' 
diplomacy? This young lady, Miss Emily, 'pears to be a reg'lar 
natural-born diplomat. Wouldn't wonder much if she'd make a 
good politician some day. Tany rate she's got me doin' something 
I never dreamed of doin'. , 

Fred. Gee, but this is good news! We'll have the biggest day 
ever. 

Jonas. If ye don't mind, would ye tell me what this ere field 
day, as ye call it, is all about? 

Fred. Sure we will. It's a kind of picnic where we have all 
sorts of contests, such as games and races and jumping. We've in- 



FIELD DAY AT HIGGINSVILLE 9 

vited the Hunts ville folks to come and compete with us, and they've 
accepted the invitation. 

Emily. Won't you come too, Mr. Witherspoon? We'd awfully 
like to have you. We'll have something good to eat. 

Jonas. Mebbe I will — mebbe I will. I used to be the highest 
jumper anywhere round when I was a youngster an' I could run too 
— my, how I could run! 

Harley. I'll bet you was some sport. 

Jonas. I guess mebbe I was. Almost feel's if I could run a race 
now 'cept for a little touch of rheumatiz now an then. 
(Enter Pat with wheelbarrow.) 

Pat. Faix an' I couldn't get a bit iv barb wire at the shtore. 
They won't have ony till nixt wake. 

Jonas. Never mind, we don't need it now, Pat. 

Pat. Don't nade it? 'Twas only a shpell ago ye was crazy 
about it. 

Jonas. I've changed my mind since then. I was goin' to put 
it around that there lot but now I'm figgerin' on lettin' the young- 
sters use it. 

Pat. Howly Saints! Am I awake or dhramin'? 

Emily. Mr. Witherspoon is coming over to see the games and 
we want you and Hannah to come too — we want all of you to come. 

Pat. An' begorra, I'll be there wid me colors flyin'. 

{Enter Hannah.) 

Hannah. Come, Mr. Jonas, dinner's all ready. We've got an 
old-fashioned boiled dinner today — jest what you like. 

Jonas. An' I've got an old-fashioned appetite. Feel's if I was 
growin' young agiD. 

Pat. Would yez belave it, Hannah, we're all invited to the 
picnic on Mr. Jonases lot nixt wake come Wednesday. 

Hannah. For goodness sakes! Did you ever? I'll have to get 
my best organdy dress fixed ready for it. 

Jonas. Wal, Pat, I've a notion I can beat ye to that boiled 
dinner. Come on. 

(Pat and Jonas race off stage on a half run, Pat trundling the 
wheelbarrow and Jonas limping. Hannah follows quickly, trying 
to keep up. Young people laugh heartily.) 

Curtain 

ACT II 

Scene: An open space arranged for field day sports. Camp 
chairs are grouped about. Pennants and Hags are suspended from 
ropes or wires stretched across the stage. 

Fred, Claude, Fannie, Minnie, Georgia, Hannah and Irma are 
seated watching the game which is supposed to be taking place off 
stage. 

Claude. Gee! Isn't this the dandy day! — the weather, the 
crowds and the fun. Looks as if we were going to wallop the Hunts- 
ville nine for fair. 



10 



FIELD DAY AT HIGGINSVILLE 



Fannie. Doesn't it though. 

Minnie. What's the score now? 

Fred. 15 to 4 in our favor and this is the last half of the eighth 
inning. 

Harley (off stage). Jasper Howe at the bat and Fred Carson 
on deck! 

Claude. Gee! I hope Jasper don't strike out again this time. 

Fred. If he does that puts our side out. 

Umpire (outside). Ball one. 

Claude. That pitcher certainly is fierce, I'll say. 

Fred. I hope I get a good chance to lamn it again. (Exit.) 

Umpire. Ball two! 

Georgia. Look at old Jonas over there. He's as excited as a kid. 

Irma. Where is he. 

Georgia. See him over there by that tree? 

Umpire. Strike one! 

Claude. I'll bet Jas' strikes out again. 

Minnie. Won't it be too bad if he does? 

Umpire. Ball three! 

Georgia. If I was in their place I'd change pitchers. 

Claude. Well don't suggest it to 'em whatever you do. 

Umpire. Ball four! 

Harley (off stage). Fred Carson to bat; Claude Dunn on deck. 

Fannie. Good! Jasper's going to take his base on balls. Now 
there's two on bases. If Fred can only bring them both in home it 
will be dandy. 

Claude. Gee! That was a good crack he gave it in the third 
inning, wasn't it? 

Irma. I just love to see Fred hit it. He always bats it just 
where nobody can get it. 

Minnie. Maybe he won't do it this time. 

Irma. I bet he will. (Slight pause.) There! He's done it. 

(Loud applause and waving of handkerchiefs. Claude runs off.) 

(Enter Ralph.) 

Ralph. Did you see the wallop Fred just gave it. We're going 
to gain two home runs on that sure — maybe three. 

Hannah. My land! Ain't it awfully exhileratin'? Glad I don't 
have to play. I'd rather watch 'em. 

Irma. Wish I was a boy. I'd just love to play. 

Fannie. Well there! Bert Green's home. (Slight pause.) And 
there goes Jasper. (Loud and continued hurrahs.) 

Ralph. Now Fred's getting careless. He always is on bases. 



(Pause.) 
Umpire. 
Ralph. 
Georgia, 
Fannie. 



Out on third! 

What'd I tell you — he's out on third base. 

Isn't it too bad. 

I don't think it was fair. Do you, Irma? 
Irma. No, I don't think it was a bit fair. 
Minnie. Well, we're 17 against 4 anyway. (Exit Ralph.) 

(Enter Ethel and Emily.) 



FIELD DAY AT HIGGINSVILLE 11 

Ethel. What do you think of the game, girls? 

Irma. Bully ! 

Minnie. Why, Irma! 

Emily. Have you seen old Jonas — how excited he is? He and 
Pat are over there whooping it up for dear life. 

Ethel. And did you hear what he promised the boys if they 
beat? 

Girls. No, what did he? 

Ethel. He promised to take them all over to the circus. Looks 
as if he'd have to do it. 

Hannah. Do you know he's been talkin' nothin' but circus for 
two or three days. He's gettin' younger every day. 

Fannie. Well now they're starting to play again. Look at that 
little fellow at the bat. Isn't he cute? 

Irma. I'll bet they picked him out of the kindergarten. 

Emily. See that! He batted it clear over into center field and 
he's going to make his base. 

Hannah. You can't generally most always tell by the size of a 
person what they can do. Now there's a great big lubber that ought 
to knock it clean over to Hokum Corners. Them arms of hisn look 
awful powerful. 

Umpire. Strike one! (Pause.) Strike two! 

Fannie. He doesn't seem to be doing much yet. 

Georgia. He acts as if he was afraid of it. 

Minnie. Maybe his arms are so big he can't swing 'em. 

Umpire. Strike three! Batter out! 

Hannah. Didn't I tell ye — you can't tell by the size of 'em 
what they're good for. 

Ethel. Now look who's at the bat. 

Irma. I can't see his face on account of his nose. 

Emily. There! He's hit it — knocked a fly! (Slight pause.) 

Ethel. See! Jasper's caught it. 

Irma. And Cutey's out on first. Whoopee! They never made 
a score. 

(General cheering and shouts, "Hurrah for Higginsville !") 
Hannah. What be they goin' to do now? 

Georgia. Looks as if they were going to quit. They're picking 
up their things. 

Minnie. Here comes Mr. Jonas and Pat and the boys. 
Pat (entering). Hooray for Higginsville, begorry! 

(Enter Jonas and the boys.) 

Fred. That's the stuff, Pat. 

Pat. Shure, an' it is. Higginsville is all roight, bedad. Ain't it 
Misther Jonas? 

Jonas. Yes-sir-ee! You've done mighty well today, that's a 
fact. Higginsville orter be proud of her young folks. An' don't for- 
get we're all goin' to the circus when it comes. 

Several. You bet we won't forget it. 

Others. We thank you, Mr. Witherspoon. 

Jasper. Let's give the school yell. Everybody ready! 



12 FIELD DAY AT HIGGINSVILLE 

Higginsville ! Higginsville ! Zip! boom! bah! 
Higginsville! Higginsville! Rah! rah! rah! 

Harley. Now what are we going to do? 

Ethel. It's our turn to entertain you now. We think you all 
need a rest after such strenuous exercise so you can sit down and 
watch us. 

Ralph. Let's get ev erybody over here where they can see and 
hear it all. Where's that megaphone? 

Minnie. Here. 

Ralph (taking megaphone and shouting into it). Hi, Fellows! 
Everybody ! Come over this way ! We're going to have a treat — 
come and find a seat. 

Irma. You certainly are some poet. 

Harley. Gee! What's this coming now? I'll bet somebody's 
got hurt. 

Hannah. Oh dear! S'posen they have? Wouldn't it be too 
bad to spoil it all. 

Irma. That's just what has happened — and it's Cutey. 

Boys. Cutey? 

Irma. Yes, that little fellow from Huntsville. See! They're 
carrying him. 

(Enter Claude and one or more boys carrying smaller boy.) 

Fred % What's the matter, Claude? 

Claude. He fell out of the swing. Guess he's hurt pretty bad 
way he hollered. 

Hannah. Oh dear! oh dear! 

Jonas. Where'd 3 r ou hurt ye, Sonny? 

Cutey. I fell on my arm and gee ! how it hurts. 

Ethel. You don't suppose he broke it, do you? 

Hannah. I've got some smelling salts here. Mebbe they'll be 
good for him. 

Jonas. Show me jest where it hurts an' we'll see what we can 
do. 

Cutey. Right here, 'tis. (Points to elbow.) 

Jonas (feeling it). Don't feel's if 'twas broke. 

Cutey (squirming). O-o-oh! It hurts awfully. 

Pat. Begorry, he hit on his funny bone. Thot's phwat's the 
matther. Mony's the toime I've done it an' I tell ye it didn't fale 
very good aj'ther. 

Jonas. Better set down here, sonny, an' I guess it'll be all right 
pretty soon. 

Hannah. Take this an' smell of it. It's soothin'. (Hands 
bottle.) My land! S'pose it had been that big lummox. He'd a 
smashed it to smithereens sure's you're born. 

Ethel. Well now if everybody's ready we'll begin our part of 
the program. 

(During this time as many others as desired have entered and 
grouped themselves about one side of stage. The program which 
follows may be made as elaborate as desired. Calisthenic exercises, 
songs and stunts may be introduced by any number of girls. The 



FIELD ADY AT HIGGINSVILLE 13 

following songs are suggested: "The Dearest School of All," "Here's 
a Song to You, Old School" "Sally and Si at the Circus" etc.) 

Ethel. Miss Emily Bonner will now announce the winners of 
the contests. 

Emily (reading). 
The running broad jump was won by Claude Harkins. 
The standing broad jump by Harry Brown of Huntsville. 
The running high jump by George Burke of Huntsville. 
The standing high jump by Ralph Caswell. 
The sprinting race by Fred Carson. 

• The ball game by Higginsville nine by score of 17 to 4. 

(Other contests may be announced to suit occasion.) 

Pat. Shure yez forgot wan race. 

Emily. Oh yes, the comic sprinting race was won by Mr. Pat- 
rick Rooney of Higginsville. 

Pat. Wid Mr. Jonas a close sicond, begorry. 

(Applause may follow this.) 

Ethel. This day wouldn't be complete without a few words 
from Mr. Witherspoon to whom we are indebted for it all. At one 
time it looked as if we would have to give up the celebration but he 
very unexpectedly came to our assistance. 

Jonas. I ain't no speechifier, that's sartin. I never had much 
eddication. I learned to read an' figger an' spell an' that was 'bout 
all. I callate 'twas because I didn't have many advantages myself 
that I've been dead set agin these new-fangled idees, but thanks to 
the strategy, or whatever you call it, of these young folks I've dis- 
covered myself at last same as old man Columbus discovered 
Ameriky in 1620. I've come to the conclusion that mebbe these 
new ways of yourn are all right. This field day has sartinly been a 
great event. I've enjoyed it wonderfully, but I want to tell ye right 
here that I ain't a goin' to loan this lot to ye again — 

All. O-oh! oh! Mr. Witherspoon. 

Jonas. He! he! That's right, I ain't— I jest decided it' bout 
ten minutes ago. 

Several. But we thought — yes, we thought — 

Pat (aside). Faix, I dunno phwat the ould man's dhrivin' at. 

Jonas. You thought because I let ye use it this time that I'd 
keep on lendin' it to ye right along every year, but I ain't goin' to 
do it — no-sir-ee. 

Emily. Oh, Mr. Witherspoon, do think it over please. 

Jonas. I have thought it over but you won't give me a chance 
to finish my speech. You asked me to speak an' then won't let me 
finish it. That's a pretty howdy-do. 

Several. Go ahead! 

Jonas. What I was goin' to say is that I won't lend this lot to 
ye again but I am goin' to give it to ye. 

Several. O-oh good! good! Hurrah for Mr. Jonas! 

Ethel. Well, go on with your speech, Mr. Witherspoon. 



14 FIELD DAY AT HIGGINSVILLE 

Jonas. Ain't much more to be said only that I'm goin' to give 
it to the community for a public play-ground for you youngsters to 
play on an' hold your field day doin's or whatever else you want. 
That's all. 

Jasper. That's enough I should say. How'Il we ever thank him? 

Fred. Just what I was thinking of. 

Ralph. Might give him three rousing cheers. 

Jasper. We can do that all right. Here goes: — Hip! hip! — 

All. Hurrah! hurrah! hurrah! Jonas Witherspoon! 

Hannah. My goodness! Ain't this bsn an awful excitin' day. 

Pat. You're just roight it has. I've been jist as happy as the 
boys an' gurrls thimsilves. 

Ethel. Well, let's close it with the yell — first for Huntsville in 
honor of our guests. Ready ! 

(All join in giving yell.) 

Huntsville! Huntsville! Zip! boom! bah! 
Huntsville! Huntsville Rah! rah! rah! 

Now for Higginsville. Ready! — 

(All yell) 

Higginsville! Higginsville! Zip! boom! bah! 
Higginsville! Higginsville! Rah! rah! rah! 

Curtain 



Note: 

The following songs: 

The Dearest School of All 

Sally and Si at the Circus 

Here's a Song to You, Old School 
may be obtained of The Willis N. Bugbee Co., Syracuse, N. Y., at 
35 cents each. 



THE BUGBEE ENTERTAINMENTS 

ARE FAVORITES EVERYWHERE 



Billy's Aunt Jane. Comedy in 3 acts by Willis N. Bugbee. 
For school or community. Good darkey character. 8m., 7f. 
Time, 1^2 to 2 hours. 35 cents. 

Happyville School Picnic. A one-act play for intermediate 
and ungraded schools. One of our best. 7 boys, 9 girls. 
Time, 40 minutes or longer. 25 cents. 

Hiram and the Peddlers. A farce in 1 act. The climax 
is a great surprise. 5m., 2f. Time, 30 minutes. 25 cents. 

Graduation at Gayville. A play for grammar grades. 6m., 
6f. Includes a mock commencement, class poem, etc. Time, 
30 minutes. 25 cents. 

Coonville 'Ristocrat Club. A darkey play for church or 
school or any occasion. Clean and wholesome. 6m., 6f. Time, 
1 hour. 35 cents. 

Darktown Social Betterment S'ciety. A good wholesome 
darkey play. Very funny. For 9 male characteps. Time, 30 
minutes. 25 cents. 

Uncle Eben's S'prise Party. Here is another splendid 
negro play. It certainly is a surprise party. 6m., 6f. Time, 
30 minutes. 25 cents. 

Uncle Si and the Sunbeam Club. A delightful play for 
grammer grades. Opportunity for specialties. 7m., 7f. Time, 
40 minutes to 1 hour. 30 cents. 

Closing Day at Beanville School. The most popular play 
for intermediate grades we have ever offered. 7m., 7f. (more 
or less). Time, 30 minutes or more. 25 cents. 

Midgets' Grand Parade. A delightful pageant for little 
tots. Very easy to produce. Time, 30 minutes. 25 cents. 

Funny Little Food Folks. A novelty entertainment for 
children. This is something different. Time, 30 min. 25 cents. 

Following the Stars and Stripes. A splendid new patriotic 
pageant. This should be on every program. For any number 
of children. Time, 15 to 45 minutes. 25 cents. 

Pretty Pageants for Young Folks. These pageants are not 
only pretty but right up to the minute. Very easy and pleas- 
ing. Good for any time. 35 cents. 

Commencement Helps and Hints. For Eighth Grade 
People. Contains salutatories, valedictories, histories, class 
will, prophecies, banquet, class drill, play, yells, mottoes, 
colors, novel sports, songs, stunts, etc. A valuable book. 
35 cents. 

Commencement Treasury. Brimful of helpful material for 
the high school graduate. Salutatories, valedictories, pro- 
phecies, etc., etc. 50 cents. 

THE WILLIS N. BUGBEE CO., SYRACUSE, N. Y. 



THE BUGBEE EN' 

ARE FAVORITES 




II mi II 
017 400 447 A 



The Bugbee Song Novelties 

Sparkin' Peggy Jane. A novelty acting duet lor young 
man and woman. Ba<Sk country types. Very funny. 35 cents. 

We'se Mammy's Little Honeys. A pickaninny action song, 
with minstrel effect if desired. Very cute. 35 cents. 

Here's a Song to You, Old School. A splendid new school 
song. 35 cents. Six copies, $1.75. 

Sally and Si at the Circus. A duet for two country lovers 
who go to the circus and have a gay old time. 35 cents. 

Sewing Ladies Meet, The. The ladies meet to sew but 
you know how it is — they do more gossiping than sewing. 
Very cute. 35 cents. 

Little Washerwomen, The. An action song for little ladies 
at their tubs. A most delightful number. 35 cents. 

Won't You Come and Play With Me? A duet for boy and 
girl, or for two boys and two girls. To be sung with actions. 
35 cents. 

Dearest School of All, The. A pleasing song for a whole 
school or class. Can be used any time, or as farewell song. 
35 cents. 

We're Mighty Glad to See You. Another welcome song 
that will make the audience feel right at home. To be sung 
with action. 35 cents. 

When Santa Had the Rheumatiz. How dreadful it would 
have been if he hadn't got cured in time to make his rounds. 
35 cents. 

There's a Welcome Here for You. A song that offers a 
genuine welcome to the audience. 35 cents. 

Don't Forget to Come Again. Another delightful good-bye 
song. 35 cents. 

We've Got the Mumps. A novelty costume song for chil- 
dren supposed to be afflicted with the mumps. 35 cents. 

The Old Home Folks. A song for adults, or older boys 
and girls, to be used on any program. 35 cents. 

Our Latch String Hangs Outside. A dandy new welcome 
song that will start your entertainment right. Sheet music. 
35 cents. 

Just Smile and Say Good-Bye. A capital song to send your 
audience home feeling good natuued. Bright and catchy. 35 
cents. 

De Coonville Jubilee. The 'Ristocrats of Coonville hold a 
jubilee and "Dey don't get home till the break ob day/' Sheet 
music. 35 cents. 



THE WILLIS N. BUGBEE CO., SYRACUSE, N. Y. 






